Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has accused certain politicians, including unidentified members of the National Assembly, of sponsoring violent attacks throughout the state.
The governor made the claims while addressing reporters in Makurdi, the state capital, expressing concern over the growing insecurity in parts of Benue.
According to Governor Alia, the violence is not random but coordinated and backed by powerful political actors with vested interests.
He alleged that these individuals are providing financial support and logistics to groups responsible for a series of deadly incidents in rural communities. Though he did not name specific lawmakers, the governor stated that the perpetrators are well-known to authorities and have been using their positions to shield themselves from justice.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap commissioner in Benue
Governor Alia emphasized that his administration has uncovered credible intelligence linking some political figures to the orchestration of the attacks.
He described the situation as politically motivated violence aimed at destabilizing his government and undermining peace efforts across the state. The governor further stated that the attackers receive funding to maintain operations, including the acquisition of weapons and the recruitment of armed individuals.
The governor noted that Benue has experienced repeated incidents of violence, especially in rural local government areas, resulting in loss of lives and displacement of thousands.
He added that many communities have been forced to flee their homes due to ongoing threats from these groups. According to Alia, the deliberate spread of violence appears to be an attempt to incite ethnic and communal tensions and create a sense of an ungovernable state.
He called on federal security agencies to intensify investigations into the recent wave of attacks and ensure that those found responsible, including politicians, are brought to justice. Governor Alia said the state government is cooperating with law enforcement and providing intelligence gathered from local sources. He reaffirmed his commitment to restoring peace and security, warning that political ambitions must not come at the cost of innocent lives.
Alia’s comments come amid a broader national concern over rising insecurity, especially in the Middle Belt region. Benue has been one of the hardest-hit states, with repeated attacks on farming communities. These assaults have often been attributed to armed herdsmen, but Governor Alia suggested that the real drivers are political actors using the situation for personal gain.
In his remarks, Alia warned that no one, regardless of status, would be spared if found complicit in sponsoring or facilitating violence. He urged community leaders and residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious movements or activities to the authorities. The governor also appealed to the federal government for increased deployment of security personnel and resources to rural areas most affected by the violence.
While addressing the press, Governor Alia condemned the killings and destruction of property and called for national attention to the situation in Benue. He said that political interference in matters of state security must be stopped, warning that the survival of democratic institutions in Nigeria depends on adherence to the rule of law and protection of citizens’ lives.
The allegations have drawn public attention and may prompt investigations or political responses in the days ahead. However, no members of the National Assembly or other political figures have publicly responded to the governor’s accusations at the time of this report. Governor Alia concluded his briefing by stating that his administration would not be intimidated and would continue efforts to protect the people of Benue from those “determined to trade lives for power.”
